The Edmonton Oilers staged a dramatic comeback to secure a 5-4 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 30, 2023. The star of the night, Connor McDavid, contributed two goals, while Jack Roslovic netted the overtime winner just 56 seconds into the extra period. This victory allowed the Oilers to break a three-game losing streak.
The game began with Ivan Provorov giving the Blue Jackets an early lead at 11:42 of the first period. Provorov received a pass from Damon Severson at the blue line and fired a quick snapshot that eluded a screened Stuart Skinner on his glove side. The Oilers responded with a goal from Jake Walman at 17:28, leveling the score at 1-1. Walman capitalized on a pass from Vasily Podkolzin, unleashing a rising shot that found the back of the net.
Columbus regained the lead early in the second period, with Monahan scoring at 1:39. He jumped on a rebound and slid a backhand shot under Skinner’s left pad. The Blue Jackets extended their advantage to 3-1 when Boone Jenner redirected a feed from Dante Fabbro at the top of the crease at 18:02.
McDavid began the Oilers’ fightback, narrowing the deficit to 3-2 with a stunning goal just 58 seconds into the third period. After spinning around Denton Mateychuk, he roofed a backhand shot from the inner side of the right circle. The excitement continued as Adam Fantilli pushed the Blue Jackets’ lead back to 4-2 at 4:19, converting a pass from Kirill Marchenko after a clever move through the Oilers’ defense.
The Oilers were not finished yet. McDavid’s relentless drive helped him score again at 13:39, bringing Edmonton within one goal. He skated down the right side and deftly slid the puck past Jet Greaves‘ right skate, making it 4-3. Walman then tied the game at 4-4, shooting a fluttering shot from low in the left circle that beat Greaves with just 58 seconds remaining in regulation.
In the overtime period, Roslovic emerged as the hero. After stealing the puck, he executed a breakaway, lifting a backhand shot past Greaves to secure the win for the Oilers. This goal not only marked Roslovic’s return to his hometown but also highlighted his significant role in the game.
In total, Skinner made 15 saves for the Oilers, while Greaves recorded 19 saves for the Blue Jackets, who have now lost four consecutive games (0-3-1). The victory gives the Oilers a much-needed boost as they look to build momentum in the coming weeks.
This thrilling matchup showcased the skill and determination of both teams, with McDavid’s standout performance underscoring his status as one of the league’s elite players. The Oilers will aim to carry this momentum forward as they continue their season.
